COURT GIVES SOWORE FINAL WARNING TO CONCLUDE DEFENCE IN ALLEGED CYBERCRIME CASE

COURT GIVES SOWORE FINAL WARNING TO CONCLUDE DEFENCE IN ALLEGED CYBERCRIME CASE

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has given online publisher and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, a final opportunity to conclude his defence in an alleged cybercrime case or risk having his defence closed.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued the warning after counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, made an oral application shortly after Sowore sought an adjournment due to the absence of his lead counsel.

The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over alleged cyber-bullying of President Bola Tinubu, following social media posts made in September 2025 on his X and Facebook accounts, where he allegedly referred to the President as a “criminal”.

When the matter came up for hearing on Thursday, no lawyer appeared for Sowore, although he was present in court.

Responding to the judge’s inquiry about his legal representation, Sowore said his lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, had travelled to the United Kingdom, adding that the court was already aware of the development.

He told the court that his lawyer advised him to inform the judge that he would not be available for the hearing but would prefer to personally handle the case.

When asked whether he was ready to proceed with his defence, Sowore requested an adjournment and indicated his intention to make another application.

Justice Umar, however, informed him that making any application beyond the request for adjournment would amount to a decision to represent himself in the matter.

In response, DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, told the court that the adjournment request would be the 11th time Sowore had sought a delay since the commencement of his defence.

The prosecuting counsel argued that the repeated adjournments showed that the defendant was not prepared to proceed and urged the court to foreclose his defence.

Ruling on the application, Justice Umar said he would grant Sowore one final opportunity in the interest of fair hearing.

The judge noted that the court could not compel a defendant to defend himself but warned that failure to continue with the defence on the next adjourned date could lead to the closure of his defence.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until July 22 for definite continuation of defence.

Meanwhile, Sowore also appealed to the court for the temporary release of his international passport to enable him attend to emergencies involving his children in the United States.

Justice Umar directed him to file a formal application, after which the prosecution would be allowed to respond before the court takes a decision.